Who is responsible when distress occurs at sea?

Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs) exist to answer this question.

SRRs divide the world’s oceans to clarify coordination responsibilities under international maritime law.They are established by states under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and notified to the International Maritime Organization.

SRRs are often misunderstood.

They are neither borders nor sovereign zones.

Their function is to allocated responsibility for coordinating assistance at sea.

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